What do Filipinas Think of the Aussie Man?

Imagine for a few minutes that you are a beautiful Pinay sitting next to a group of Australians in the Philippines. Just what would you make of the male Aussie?

First of all the beer is constantly flowing and yet they seem to stay on their feet almost. The Aussie accent is very difficult to the locals anyway as they all listening to a difficult foreigner as “nose bleed” and that the typical Aussie bloke “swallows his words”. In short they accent is difficult to local people and then add the beers and you can imagine your Pinay Wife can only sit and listen to a bewilderment of verbal sounds.

A study in 2013 came up with these characteristics of an Aussie man.

He needs man time, uses humour as an all-purpose coping mechanism, is torn between work and fatherhood commitments but would choose his children first, and is quietly romantic at heart.

2. Broadband Connector
The better quality his relationships — partner, friends, family — the more likely he is to be healthy and happy.While mateship and sport connect him to the broader population, great friendships bring out his true happy self.

3. Sensitive Cockatoo
His emotional evolution is exhibited in quiet sensitivity and desire for mutual respect and equality for both genders. Do not mistake his desire for peace over disruption of emasculation.

4. Action Man
Being an outdoorsy man and feeling the freedom to be his authentic masculine self are life affirming traits. Strength of character is more important than strength of body.

5. Nurturing Knight
He is physically and emotionally torn between work and fatherhood commitments but would ultimately prioritise his children if a choice was required.

6. Unassuming Romantic
He’s a romantic at heart; loving the surprise and delight element of romance the most. Lack of fresh ideas, anxiety over ‘getting it right’ and forgetfulness are holding him back from being more Lothario.

7. Retail Ranger
He is retro-masculine; the original Levi’s Man with subtle modern stylishness and a distinctly Australian swagger.

The modern Australian man though does have his gripes.

“Men are so conditioned to being told they’re wrong, the majority has developed gender issue laryngitis; no longer sharing opinions, concerns and issues,” the report states.

Men also want to spend time with their male friends, but men are still obsessed with sport and

non-sporty men fake enthusiasm in sport to avoid alienation.

Men also want to laugh more at home “but don’t to avoid perpetuating the perceived female logic that male humour is immature or signifies that men don’t want to grow up.”

The White Paper was the result of eight months of one-on-one interviews with 140 men Australia-wide, aged primarily between 27 to 55 years.

“I was shocked with the raw honesty of the men,” said author Carolyn Managh, Senior Strategist at M & C Saatchi Australia.

“Australian men have a great, strong character.”

“When asked about the most romantic moment, most men talked about their marriage proposal which is the biggest surprise and delight they could imagine.

“They love telling the story and not many women would know that.”

Warwick Marsh, founder of the Fatherhood Foundation, described the report as a “positive celebration of true masculinity”.

“It strikes me as one of the most accurate assessments of Australian men I have seen,” he said.

The honest study reveals Australian men feel they need permission for time with their mates.

“Men live with the stench of permission,” said Dare Jennings, founder of Mambo.

But it is critical for de-stressing and allowing them to be themselves.

Man time is critical for de-stressing and allows men to be themselves. They consider humour and sport the “social glue” that bond Australian men and non-sporty men fake enthusiasm to avoid alienation.

And Christmas is the most stressful time of year for the Aussie man hunting for the perfect gift for their partner.

“I find buying a gift for my wife harder than signing off one million dollars,” said Mark Brownfield, CMO of AGL.

Ms Managh hopes the study can show Australian men in a new light.

“The idea that men are closed and can’t articulate how they feel is 100 per cent false,” she said.

“I’m in love with Australian men and hope everyone else will fall in love with them too.”

John is a very young 57 who has lived in the Philippines for over ten years and makes his living online as an SEO consultant and copy writer along with other online resources. John has lived in Davao, Manila and in Puerto Galera and has become an honoury Filipino. His hobbies include traveling and 1970s culture.
For any articles or online work please feel free to contact John on [email protected]